"NOT AFRAID" - Tube Relief 2005

Post by **tubeguru** » 14 Jul 2005, 09:16

OK people, just so you're all clear on this here's the deal regarding which stations to visit and which ones NOT to visit.

Now when this thing happens we anticipate the Circle and District lines to be restored to full service but the Piccadilly to remain closed between Hyde Park Corner and Arnos Grove.

So, the stations on the Piccadilly line that you won't be able to do are:

Covent Garden
Russell Square
Caledonian Road
Holloway Road
Arsenal
Manor House
Turnpike Lane
Wood Green
Bounds Green

However, you are still expected to do the stations in that section which are served by other lines:

Green Park
Piccadilly Circus
Leicester Square
Holborn
Kings Cross/St Pancras
Finsbury Park

There is a special bus service between Arnos Grove and Seven Sisters which calls at some of the closed stations south of Arnos Grove. We're not counting these bus stops as stations on the route so don't feel obliged to take this bus simply to "visit" Bounds Green, Wood Green etc.

There is also a bus service running from Arnos Grove to Finchley Central if you want to connect to the Northern line instead of the Victoria.

We are also NOT doing Heathrow Terminal 4 as it is currently inaccessible by train and we're not insisting you take the replacement bus service there simply for the hell of it.

Also, Queensway station is closed for refurbishment and so trains will pass through and not stop there. Sadly, that disables the extremely handy Bayswater to Queensway run but not much we can do about that.

That means there are 264 stations to do. The rule is simply this: if you can get to it by tube train, you have to do it!

Any questions?

juice-rail · Post by **juice-rail** » 14 Jul 2005, 09:38

Geoff-

I wasnt asking for more runners. Just sponsors and helpers.

Once there is a specific email adress for local press and the Eagle radio stn to mention (for general public to offer sponsorship) i'll forward all details to them. Unless you want notafraid@***** to be the main one for listening/reading public to send sponsor details??
But so far the Eagle is very keen.

Accommodation Update

There are still, at time of posting, three (or 4?) places left at Nita Hurleys.

For details and how to book check forum page 7.

CrunchySaviour · Post by **CrunchySaviour** » 14 Jul 2005, 09:51

I know I really want to be there and all that but I don't think I can seriosly just bugger off from a holiday halfway through it, especially since my girlfriend will then also have to come home (and no, she's probably not interested in Tube Challenging!).

But with all this talk of publicity and sponsorship, this is shaping up to being the greatest day in Tube Challenging in history.

PFW · Post by **PFW** » 14 Jul 2005, 10:55

Anthony

I am passing through the Northampton area on the way down to Amersham and will be stoping in Northampton immediatly after the event. Transport it available to you so you will only loose the minimum time from your holiday.

Check your e-mails for the details.

Steeevooo · Post by **Steeevooo** » 14 Jul 2005, 12:27

Hi, I'm a total novice at Tube Challenging, but have entered myself and two others (equally with zero experience) into this charity run, seening that it's for such a good cause. However, being such beginners, who don't really know where to begin to go about planning a route, any help would be great, and if someone who has Tube Challenged before would be interested in joining our little "team", that would be fantastic!

Post by **tubeguru** » 14 Jul 2005, 12:55

For those of you who have "no idea what you're doing", Geoff is shortly be publishing a "Beginner's Guide to the Tube Challenge" on his website, where he will explain the essentials and how to do certain sections.

As he says, he's not really "giving anything away" because most serious tube challengers find these things out for themselves anyway.

I'm sure he'll post something here once it's online.

Post by **tubeguru** » 14 Jul 2005, 13:00

In a similar vein, I believe we have more or less agreed that the first couple of hours will be the same for everyone, with all of us doing the same route.

The guide will cover this section so I'll repeat it here for you:

Amersham
Chalfont & Latimer
Chesham
Moor Park
Watford
North Harrow and walk to West Harrow
Preston Road
Northwick Park and walk to Kenton
Harrow & Wealdstone

and then into central London where we will all disperse and go our own ways.

Some people prefer to not double back at Preston Road to Northwick Park and instead will simply get out at Preston Road, run to South Kenton and then go to Harrow & Wealdstone from there. I personally think it's quicker to double back to Northwick Park and walk to Kenton having done it myself and found it very easy. You can jog it in 4 minutes if you feel fit

That's more or less the accepted wisdom on the start of any tube challenge starting at Amersham and it's hardly a secret.

Once you're on the Bakerloo southbound, you're on your own

Good luck!

PFW · Post by **PFW** » 14 Jul 2005, 13:36

I have already said to Geoff that if anybody wants to follow me then they are welcome to. I will be using the same route as I used early last year which completed all stations in 19hrs 25min.

There are some flaws in the route so I won't be using it again - the only thing that I ask is a certain amount of honour. Please only follow me if you really do not have any route of your own; please do not make notes or take too many photos as we go around that you can later use when developing your own route. Just enjoy the ride...

garda · Post by **garda** » 14 Jul 2005, 14:07

I am still trying to convince my hubby to let me go into debt some more and join ya'll for the run. I really want to do this as I feel so connected to london and the tube i practucally live on when I am there. I will know soon for sure. I know if I do come and travelling 6000 miles for this I can count on all of you pros over the pond to help me by piggybacking on someone! Being a cop I hope to be able to have my husband submit to me and let me go! LOL.

Post by **tubeguru** » 14 Jul 2005, 14:10

Just handcuff him to the radiator without his dinner for a few days - he'll come round ...

CrunchySaviour · Post by **CrunchySaviour** » 14 Jul 2005, 14:11

Thanks, PFW, that's a noble offer indeed, but it's just a bit out of order for me to leave the holiday at that time... it's just 3 days before the holiday is due to end anyway, so I probably wouldn't get back to the boat in time for it to be worthwhile. I'll be doing my own run a few weeks later, though.

I'll mail Geoff asking for some official sponsor forms and such like.

James_#510 · Post by **James_#510** » 14 Jul 2005, 17:00

tubeguru wrote: Amersham
Chalfont & Latimer
Chesham
Moor Park
Watford
North Harrow and walk to West Harrow
Preston Road
Northwick Park and walk to Kenton
Harrow & Wealdstone

and then into central London where we will all disperse and go our own ways.

Is it necessary to follow ALL of this starting route, or just some of it?

tpfkar · Post by **tpfkar** » 14 Jul 2005, 17:37

This really is taking off.

I would love to come, but it might be fiddly.
Is anyone coming down from up-north for this?
Would anyone be able to store a couple of suitcases for me for a couple of days while this is going on?
I'm moving in London, (to balham) and will probably be in Yorkshire on the 23rd.

But this will be special.

I won't confirm until I'm sure I could do it. I'd also be happy to go around with any novices for the day, either on their route or mine if i can make it.

ric

PFW · Post by **PFW** » 14 Jul 2005, 18:36

I'm travelling from Clitheroe/Manchester if that helps.

Post by **moley** » 14 Jul 2005, 19:46

I've been discussing with Geoff re Sponsorship forms.

Rather than everyone have their own version we will issue one version - soon!

tubechallenge.com

"NOT AFRAID" - Tube Relief 2005

greetings from Garda

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